As most of you know I'm looking for a WRX to race in the sprint series and Subaru Cup, as the car is going to raced I'm not after a minter just a decent base, well I've found a UK turbo that's been stood for a while it's had the cam belt, water pump replaced prior to it been laid up but while it runs well (so I'm told I've not been to see it yet) the heaters don't get warm, now this could be a simple air lock which presents no problem but could it be something more sinister? I'm not an expert re Imprezas so I'd welcome any thoughts, insights or things to check for before I go look at it, knowledge is power so they say.

 

Depending on the year some have truly uninspiring brakes...mine was a '97 !

Could be the thermostat, water pump or an air lock...

HTH

dunx

 

This ones a '97 and I would prefer a late WRX, but beggars can't be choosers
plus I have a cunning plan re brakes, I believe the race series allows me to use the 4 pots from later models but not Brembo, and I'm told Nissan 4 pots bolt straight on so the idea will be to fit some Z32 (ZX300tt) alloy callipers with XJR pads (these fit with a bit of fettling) the callipers are a lot lighter then the heavy std iron items the Jag pads have around 20% more surface area so all in all it provides a big upgrade while remaining std (ish) looking.
I had a similar set up on a track day prepped 200SX and with Mintex 1155 pads it was very impressive and relatively cheap.

 

just in my mind....why would they do all that then leave it stood for a while ?? could there be more problems there than u think mmmmm

 

your quite right it does indeed sound dodgy, but at the price I'm wanting to pay it's maybe worth the risk.
My problem is I don't really want to pay top 'dollar' for a pristine well cared for example then tear it to bits, plus even buying a minter is no guarantee it’s mechanically sound, the last thing I need is to fork out a lot of cash for a supposedly sound car then have it go pop then have no money left to fix it, so I’m thinking buy a bit of a shed so if it does need serious mechanical work then I’ll have to funds to do the work.
So the dilemma is do I look for really nice car at top money or go after a rough one with maybe known issues but at rock bottom money?
There’s another car I’m watching on ebay at the mo, link
1998 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX TURBO 4WD - eBay (item 120528119439 end time Feb-14-10 13:11:57 PST)
A ’98 UK car, it looks like its hit a post, needs grill, bonnet, bumper, rad, its supposed to be mechanically sound, that would be perfect if I could get it for around 1K, because once you factor in thework/ parts to repair the damage it’s not worth much more plus it will be a Cat C so will require a VOSA check, but it could suit me perfectly.

 

here budd most of its done for you so would save u quite abit of cash or fabrication Subaru WRX Impreza Turbo 1995 on eBay (end time 20-Feb-10 12:46:43 GMT))

 

that does indeed look like what I'm after if the cage is MSA certified, however things have moved on a bit since my last post. I want to look at a '94 WRX today, it was supposed to be tatty but sound mechanically but on inspection it overheated and started knocking real bad plus some of the bolts ons that I was told it had were't there, all in all a waste of my time considering the money he wanted, however the day wasn't a complete waste and I have bought a car!!! just not a Subaru, while I was mooching round the yard I came a across a (don't laugh) Rover 820 turbo it was a sorry looking non runner, no tax, flat tyre etc you know the type and was due for the crusher, but it had 4 good 17" tyres and Recaro trim, anyway after a bit of haggling it's on the trailer and away home for little more than scrap money, once home with a fresh battery and fuel it won't start so it looks like I'll be stripping it for parts and weighing in what's left, but after a bit more checking of all the usual things I find the fuel pump earth wire as snapped with this fixed it fired straight up result.
So the plan is now to get 12 month ticket on it, tidy it up (it may need a wheel bearing judging from the noise coming from the N/S/F wheel) and sell it on hopefully it'll make me a few quid to put to the Impreza, so all in all a fruitfull day I didn't get the Impreza I was after but I had to have the Rover at the money, I've yet to go through the car so it may prove to be a lemon but it's plenty of history and I think it will make a nice car, all I need now is a retired school teacher to sell it to

 

It's a Honda race it !

LOL

dunx

 

I don't think it will make much of a racer LOL this one isn't honda based the earlier Rover 800s used Honda engines 2.5-2.7 V6s but I think the shell was all Rover, designed before Rover got involved with the Honda, the engine in the 820 turbo engine is basically the old O series block with a 16 valve head and turbo grafted on, but on the up side it's supposed to be a strong lump and makes 200bhp std, however I'm not to interested in it, hopefully it'll pass it's test and I can sell it on pretty quick.

 

remember you now you haven't changed in the last 25years lol
just put some weight on an gone a little grey lol

 

Yep and I remember that Sunbeam Lotus of yours and I guess I have put on a little 'timber' over the years and lost the ebony locks, it's called getting old , god I don't know where the years have gone!! perhaps I should keep the old Rover after all and forget the idea of an Impreza, leave the racing to the 'youngsters', then again I'd like to think there's life in the old dog yet and I'm not quite ready for the tartan blanket, so the research continue and eventually a car will be bought and prepared

 

yep you only get one life live it to the full

 

very true,

 

Are you coming tonight

 

No can't make it tonight the missus is going to step class!!! so I've got the kids, don't suppose I should complain at least she's trying